Holding steady.
Popularity of Perley since 1880
Babies named Perley per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1915, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Perley's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 118 |
| 1890s | 88 |
| 1900s | 58 |
| 1910s | 179 |
| 1920s | 220 |
| 1930s | 175 |
| 1940s | 106 |
| 1950s | 62 |
| 1960s | 14 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Perley is a rare given name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1880, primarily used for boys. Its peak year was 1881, but it never achieved widespread popularity and has remained consistently uncommon. The name is likely an English surname or place name, possibly derived from Parley in Dorset, England. Despite its rarity, Perley has a straightforward pronunciation (PUR-lee) and a gentle, old-fashioned feel. Its trajectory has been stable over the decades, with no significant revival. Due to its obscurity, parents considering Perley today would be choosing a name that is both historically grounded and unique.
Perley first appeared as a given name in the United States in the 1880s, likely derived from the English surname Perley. The surname itself may originate from a place name in England, such as Parley in Dorset, or from a variant of the name Pearley. Its use as a first name was brief and primarily recorded in the late 19th century.
Sibling names for Perley
Names that share Perley's style, for a brother or sister.
